The best lawnmowers

From robots to hand-held lawnmowers, keep your grass in check with this range of handy garden gadgets

No matter the size of your garden, keeping the grass cut is important if it is to look its best. But mowing the lawn can be a little like vacuuming: a mundane chore that none of us wants to do. However, with the right equipment, you can have your garden looking neat and tidy in no time.

So, how to choose the right lawnmower? First, consider the size of your garden. A small garden can easily be tidied with a hand or push mower, with you doing the legwork. Larger gardens may require something more industrial to get the job done quickly and efficiently, in which case petrol motors are the way to go.

Different lawnmowers cut the grass in different ways, with some being more effective than others. A cylinder mower uses a rotary blade to scissor the grass, which works pretty well on small areas, but as soon as it rains, you’ll find it tougher to cut the grass with this type of lawnmower.

Hover mowers are a little more robust and can cut their way through uneven patches of grass with ease. Some collect the trimmings in a bag for you to empty just like a vacuum, or you can opt for one that simply redistributes the cut grass which will save you the hassle of taking it down the tip.

Now you have an idea about what’s best for your garden, take a look at our top picks for lawnmowers that will keep your garden looking tidy all year round.

1. Flymo 1200R Lithium-Ion Robotic Lawnmower

A robot mower that does all the hard work for you

Specifications

Best for: Gadget lovers

Power: 18v Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery

Grass Box: No

Reasons to buy

+Robot device+Redistributes grass cuttings

Reasons to avoid

-Very pricey

Everyone is raving about this robot lawnmower and when you get one it will become part of the family. This lawnmower will automatically cut your grass and then return to its charging station when it needs more power. It features collision sensors which allow it to navigate around your garden while you sit back and relax. You’ll never have to worry about mowing the lawn again.

2. The Handy Hand Push Mower

A basic mower for small gardens

Specifications

Best for: Small gardens

Power: Hand Powered

Grass Box: 50L

Reasons to buy

+Budget buy+Easy to use

Reasons to avoid

- Requires effort

This little push mower boasts no frills but if you only have a small garden then this really is all you need. It has a 5 bladed cutting cylinder and an adjustable cutting height then all you need to do is push. A hand mower like this one could be a little too small for larger gardens but it is low-maintenance, lightweight and easy to use.

3. Bosch Rotak 40

A petrol powered mower for efficient cutting

Specifications

Best for: Medium-sized gardens

Power: 1700w Electric Corded

Grass Box: 50L

Reasons to buy

+Powerful +Easy to set up

Reasons to avoid

-A little heavy

This powerful petrol-fuelled lawnmower is the perfect size for medium gardens and can cut grass with precision right up to the corners of your garden with extendable grass combs. Although a little big, it is easy to push and is adjustable to the cut height you require. The Bosch Rotak 40 is easy to set up and go at the push of a button, with no faffing with assembly required.

4. Flymo HoverVac 280

A lightweight and compact lawnmower for easy storage

Specifications

Best for: Compact

Power: 1300W Electric Corded

Grass Box: 20L

Reasons to buy

+Folds down+Lightweight

Reasons to avoid

-Small grass box

If you like the look of the Bosch Rotak but don’t have the storage space, then the Flymo HoverVac 280 is a great alternative that comes in at a fraction of the cost. This is one of the best hover lawnmowers and it folds down neatly to store in your shed or garage. It only has a small grass box but it compacts it down so you don’t have to empty it as much and for small gardens this mower is the perfect size to cut your grass quickly and efficiently.

5. Gtech Falcon

A cordless mower for an effortless gardening experience

Specifications

Best for: Cordless

Power: 670 watts cordless

Grass Box: 40L

Reasons to buy

+Powerful+Easy to empty

Reasons to avoid

-Super heavy

The Gtech Falcon is perfect if you've got a large or oddly-shaped garden as it is entirely cordless making it much easier to manoeuvre around hard-to-reach areas without getting all tangled up. Customers love the driving force behind this mower and find that it provides a seamlessly smooth cut that makes mower the lawn more of a pleasure rather than a chore. It's got a large grass box which is easy to remove when finished, although it can get a little heavy if you leave it to fill right up. If you're looking for a mower with a bit of oomph, you can expect the Gtech Falcon to provide excellent results every time.